ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Chess Olympiad Torch Relay gets a grand reception at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium
"Government's initiative is creating a chess culture in the country" : Grand Master Abhijit Kunte
Mumbai, 02nd July 2022
The first ever Chess Olympiad Torch Relay reached Maharashtra on the 14th day since its launch in Delhi on 19th June. The final leg of the Torch Relay in Maharashtra had a grand reception at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai this evening.
Earlier today the Torch Relay was received in Nagpur and Pune in the presence of Grandmasters of the respective cities.
At the key event held in Mumbai, Grandmasters Pravin Thipsay, Abhijit Kunte, Soumya Swaminathan were present along with officials of Department of Sports, State Chess Association, chess enthusiasts and budding chess players.
Addressing the event, Grand Master Abhijit Kunte expressed his happiness on India being the first country where the torch relay has begun its journey. “For the first time ever, a torch relay has been introduced in Chess Olympiad; we are very happy that the torch relay has begun from India,” he proudly said. He also mentioned that the Government's initiative is creating a chess culture in the country and is also encouraging children to play chess. “There are many chess events being organized in the country,” he added.
Working President, Maharashtra Chess Association, Siddharth Mayur said that from now on, the Chess Olympiad Torch will begin its journey from India whenever the Chess Olympiad is to be held anywhere around the world.
The Chess Olympiad Torch was given a traditional welcome by the state level chess players. Central Bureau of Communication, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting organised cultural performance highlighting how chess originated from India and the 75 years of India’s Independence. Artistes also performed Nukkad Natak on achievements of India with a focus on the infrastructural development, women empowerment and initiatives like Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
As part of the celebration, 30 budding Chess players got an opportunity to play against International Masters
As it reached Mumbai, the Chess Olympiad Torch was taken to prominent locations in the city.
Chess Olympiad Torch at the Gateway of India
Mumbai to Goa...
The grand reception of the Chess Olympiad Torch Relay in Mumbai concluded with the formal hand over of the Torch by Grandmaster Abhijit Kunte to Grandmaster Pravin Thipsay
The Torch is set for its onward journey for the next leg of relay in Goa.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves signing of Contract between India and France to support ITF activities on the Indian Transport Sector
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi was apprised of the signing of Contract between the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, France on behalf of the International Transport Forum and the Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council , India to support the International Transport Forum  activities on the Indian Transport Sector.
The Contract was signed on 6th July, 2022.
The activities to be carried out under this Contract will lead to:
- New scientific results;
- New policy insights;
- Capacity building through increase scientific interaction
- Identification of technology options for decarbonization of transport sector in India.
Prime Minister's Office
PM to release Hindi Version of Odisha Itihaas by Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab on 9th April 2021
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will release the Hindi translation of the book ‘Odisha Itihaas’ written by ‘Utkal Keshari’ Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab on 9th April 2021 at 12 noon from Ambedkar International Center, Janpath, New Delhi. The book, available in Odia and English so far, has been translated into Hindi by Shri. Shankarlal Purohit. Union Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan and Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab MP, Cuttack will also be present on the occasion. The event marking the release of the Hindi version has been organised by Harekrushna Mahtab Foundation.
About the Author
Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab was a notable figure in the Indian Independence Movement. He also served as Chief Minister of Odisha from 1946 to 1950 and from 1956 to 1961. He wrote the book ‘Odisha Itihaas’ in Ahmednagar Fort Jail, where he was imprisoned for more than two years during 1942-1945.
Ministry of Railways
On mission mode, Indian Railways Freight loading for the month of August 2020 surpasses last years loading of the same month
In the month of August 2020 Indian Railways loading was 94.33 million tonnes which is 3.31 million tonnes higher compare to last years loading for the same month.
Number of concessions/ discounts are also being given in Indian Railways to make Railways Freight movement very attractive
On mission mode, Indian Railways achieved a significant milestone of pulling freight traffic ahead. Indian Railways Freight loading for the month of August 2020 surpasses last years loading for the same month.
In the month of August 2020 Indian Railways loading was 94.33 million tonnes which is 3.31 million tonnes higher compare to last years loading for the same month .
In the month of August 2020 Indian Railways loading was 94.33 million tonnes which includes 40.49 million tonnes of coal, 12.46 million tonnes of iron ore, 6.24 million tonnes of foodgrains, 5.32 million tonnes of fertilizers, 4.63 million tonnes of cement , and 3.2 million tonnes of mineral oil.
It may be noted that improvements in freight movements will be institutionalized and incorporated in the upcoming zero based time table.
It is worth mentioning that a number of concessions/ discounts are also being given in Indian Railways to make Railways Freight movement very attractive.
Covid 19 has been used by Railways an opportunity to improve all round efficiencies and performances.
Prime Minister's Office
PM condoles the demise of Shri NC Debbarma
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has expressed sorrow on the death of Tripura Minister and political leader Shri NC Debbarma.
In a tweet, Shri Modi said:
"Shri NC Debbarma Ji will be remembered by the coming generations as a hardworking grassroots leader who always worked for the well-being of people. He made a rich contribution to Tripura’s progress. Pained by his demise. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti."
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Reinrtoduction of tigers in Madhav National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav informed in a series of tweets about Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Union Minister of Civil Aviation Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia releasing two tigers, a 4 year old male from Satpura Tiger Reserve and a three and half year old tigress from Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserves, into the specially created soft release enclosures in Madhav National Park, Madhya Pradesh. Shri Yadav said Under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi India is making phenomenal progress in wildlife conservation and promoting tourism related livelihood opportunities for local communities.
Madhav National Park, one of the oldest National Park of Madhya Pradesh notified in 1956, had sizeable tiger population in the past. Over the years, the national park had sporadic presence of tiger and the last reported tiger presence was in 2012. Spread over an area of 354.61 sq km, the location of the park assumes conservation significance as it has the potential to connect Panna Tiger Reserve of Madhya Pradesh with Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan.
As part of the proposal to re-establish tiger population in Madhav National Park, the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department had prepared a plan for translocating 5 tigers  from Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve and Panna Tiger Reserves and from the surroundings of Bhopal. For housing the tiger, 3 enclosures of 1.3 ha each have been constructed. Each of these enclosure are interconnected through gates and provision for water, shade and natural tree cover has been made. The newly introduced tigers will be monitored round the clock by the field staff. A full time veterinary doctor equipped with rescue vehicle, cages, immobilizing gun, drugs has been deployed at the national park for tiger monitoring.
MJPS
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Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
BIS conducted Capsule Course for Quality Testing Personnel
Mumbai : 23 December 2022
As a part of the recent initiatives, the Mumbai Branch office of BIS, conducted a two-day training programme  on 22 and 23 December 2022 for the Quality Testing Personnel of Packaged Drinking Water Industries, at Reliable Analytical Laboratory Pvt. Ltd., Bhiwandi.
During the course BIS scientific officers informed the various requirements of Indian Standard IS 14543 Packaged drinking water, testing parameters including sample preparation and conditioning of samples, interpretation of product manual and other specific guidelines & record keeping, understanding guidelines for grant/inclusion/renewal/operation of licences, features of online portal Manakonline and e-BIS. Visits to labs for practical demonstration of testing of important/critical parameters was also conducted. Exercises and Workshops were carried out on above topics.
Feedback was collected from all the participants and the participants enriched their knowledge on various facets of test methods and training through this initiatives taken by BIS.
About BIS
Bureau of Indian Standard  is National Standard Body of India, established under the BIS Act 2016. The main activities of BIS are, Standard Formulation, Product Certification, Laboratory Testing & System Certification. BIS is contributing to the national economy by providing safe, reliable and quality goods, minimizing health hazards to consumers, protecting the environment etc. The standard and product certification scheme of BIS apart from benefiting the consumer and industries, also support various public policies especially product safety, consumer protection, food safety, environment protection, building and construction etc.
Source: BIS
CP/PM
Follow us on social media:@PIBMumbai /PIBMumbai /pibmumbai pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]com /PIBMumbai /pibmumbai
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Ministry of Defence
Army Chief Felicitates Indian Army Participants Of XXII Commonwealth Games 2022
In the recently concluded XXII Commonwealth Games 2022, Indian Army sportspersons performed exceedingly well by clinching four Gold, one Silver and three Bronze Medals. The individual medal winners are Naib Subedar Jeremy Lalrinnunga & Havildar Achinta Sheuli  in Weightlifting, Subedar Deepak Punia & Recruit Havildar Deepak Nehra  in Wrestling, Subedar Amit Panghal, VSM  & Subedar Mohammad Hussamuddin  in Boxing and Naib Subedar Avinash Sable  & Subedar Sandeep Kumar  in Athletics.
It is indeed a commendable feat that out of 18 participants from the Indian Army in the Commonwealth Games squad, eight sportspersons have earned medals for India. These medals are a result of a carefully planned and sustained “Mission Olympic Programme” by the Indian Army, which was conceived and implemented since year 2001.
On return of the team to India, Gen Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff  and senior officers of the Army HQ congratulated and interacted with the sportspersons at an exclusive function organised at Delhi Cantt on 10 August 2022.
Addressing the sportspersons, the Army Chief acknowledged their superlative performance and remarked that the Indian Army participants are the real role models for the Nation. The COAS said that their individual performances have made the Indian Army and the entire Nation proud. He also wished them the very best for all the forthcoming events. The Army Chief felicitated the participants by awarding Commendation Cards and cash incentives. Medal winners will also get out-of-turn promotions as per policy in vogue.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India conducts a record high of more than 8.3 lakh tests in a single day
More than 2.68 crore samples tested as on today
Tests Per Million  jumps to 19,453
Crossing the 8 lakh/day milestone of tests in a single day, India has registered a record high of 8,30,391 tests conducted in the last 24 hours in India. In pursuance of the “Test, Track and Treat” strategy, India is geared up to reach the testing capacity of 10 lakh tests per day.
The strong resolve and determination of Union and State/UT Governments to follow aggressive testing as the first important step in the early detection and isolation of COVID-19 positive cases has resulted in India rapidly increasing the number of tests done per day. The week-wise average daily tests conducted saw a sharp increase from around 2.3 lakh in the first week of July 2020 to more than 6.3 lakh in the current week.
With a record high more than 8 lakh tests done in the last 24 hours, the cumulative testing as on date has jumped to 2,68,45,688 crore. The Tests Per Million has seen a sharp increase to 19453.
A strong determinant of this milestone has been the sustained expansion of testing labs across the country. From merely one lab in January 2020, the country is today enriched by 1433 labs with 947 in the government sector and 486 private labs. This is a testimony to the coordinated efforts of the Centre and the State/UT governments.
The different types of labs include:
• Real-Time RT PCR based testing labs: 733 
• TrueNat based testing labs: 583 
• CBNAAT based testing labs: 117 
For all authentic & updated information on COVID-19 related technical issues, guidelines & advisories please regularly visit: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/ and @MoHFW_INDIA.
Technical queries related to COVID-19 may be sent to technicalquery.covid19[at]gov[dot]in and other queries on ncov2019[at]gov[dot]in and @CovidIndiaSeva .
In case of any queries on COVID-19, please call at the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare helpline no.: +91-11-23978046 or 1075 . List of helpline numbers of States/UTs on COVID-19 is also available at https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/coronvavirushelplinenumber.pdf .
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Goa has a lot more to it than the sun, sand and sea. I am trying to portray this through my films: Jitendra Shikerkar, Director of IFFI 52 Goan Section Film "D'Costa House"
“We are making Konkani films purely for the sake of love of our language, so Konkani survives”
Panaji, 27 November 2021
It is the story of an adventurous encounter between three crime fugitives and the people who they hold hostage. D’Costa House, a crime thriller which promises to keep viewers on the edge of their seats and search frantically for their missing heartbeats, has been presented to cine lovers at the ongoing 52nd edition of the International Film Festival of India, in the Goan Film Section of the festival.
Director Jitendra Shikerkar has this to say about the Goan connection. “Goa does not mean only mean the sun, sand and seas. There is a lot more to Goa; I am trying to portray this through my films.” He was addressing a press conference on the sidelines of IFFI 52 in Goa today. Producer Dr. Pramod Salgaocar also joined the director.
The film has had its World Premiere at IFFI 52. “It is a happy moment for us as we could premiere our movie at an international platform like IFFI”, said the director.
Shikerkar opined that making Konkani films is like playing with fire as they won’t earn any revenue. “Though getting screened at IFFI is a great reward, we have to keep in mind that cinema should also get viewers as only rewards cannot fill the belly of the producers. We are making Konkani films purely for the sake of love of our language. Konkani will survive only if we show the culture of Konkani through these films and that is why we are making these films. This is my fifth film and none of my producers has earned any money through these films, but still they are doing it for love of the language.”
Jitendra Shikerkar has an experience of 18 years in the field, and has had several innings at IFFI in the past. He is presently working in regional cinema, having served mainly in Marathi and Konkani cinema. He is known for movies like Uday, Mortoo and has worked on various TVC, Corporate films, TV serials and talk shows. He has also worked as screenplay writer for television series of DD National and also other regional channels.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Control and Regulation of e-Commerce Platform
Considering the cross-cutting nature of e-Commerce, different laws and regulations across sectors govern the present e-Commerce activities, some of which are; Consumer Protection Act, 2019, Finance Act 2020, Information Technology Act, 2000, Foreign Exchange Management Act, 2000 and Competition Act, 2002. In terms of providing a regulatory framework, the Competition Act, 2002, provides for preventing practices, which may have an adverse effect on competition. Provisions under Section 3, regarding anti-competitive agreements and Section 4 regarding abuse of dominant position are also applicable for e-commerce platforms. E-Commerce entities/platforms with Foreign Direct Investment  are presently regulated by Press Note 2 read with SI No. 15.2, Schedule 1, of the Foreign Exchange Management  Rules, 2019.
The Government is in receipt of the representations submitted by Confederation of All India Traders  against e-commerce companies. Under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999, the investigative powers are vested with Enforcement Directorate , and therein representations were duly forwarded to ED, which has taken up the matter for investigation. Further, complaints received from CAIT, alleging biased practice adopted by banks in providing cash backs and discounts for purchases made through e-commerce websites, such as Amazon and Flipkart, is being examined by Competition Commission of India, as well.
No investigation has been initiated by RBI or Enforcement Directorate on the allegation of violation of Foreign Direct Investment  policy and FEMA in the deal between Flipkart and Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Shri SomParkash, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Finance Commission
The Fifteenth Finance Commission meets representatives of Rajasthan PRIs
The 15th Finance Commission headed by Chairman, Shri N.K. Singh along with its Members and senior officials met today with the representatives of the Panchayati Raj Institutions  of Rajasthan.
The Commission was informed that 23 functions out of 29 envisaged in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution devolved to PRIs
Rajasthan has a total of 10,220 PRIs, of which 9892 are Gram Panchayats, 295 Panchayat Samities and 33 Zila Parishads.
The 14th Finance Commission had recommended a devolution of Rs. 12270 crores to Rajasthan as Basic Grant  and a devolution of Rs. 1363 crores as Performance grant  for the period 2016-20.
The Commission has expressed concern over the following issues pertaining to accounting of PRIs –
• The accountability mechanism and financial reporting of the Panchayati Raj Institutions in the State continues to be weak.
• Of the total 10219 PRIs, only 6802 of PRI Accounts were certified by Department of Local Fund Audit, of which only 20 PRI accounts were certified without qualification.
• Only 20% of the PRIs have closed their yearbooks with Priasoft in 2017-18.
• Functions Transferred without funds and functionaries: Out of 23 functions transferred, Funds and Functionaries were transferred in 15 out of 23 subjects.
• Unutilized Funds: As on March 2018, Rs.1872.01 cr,& Rs 1,449.78 cr was lying as unutilized closing balances in Zila Panchayat funds, Panchayat Samiti funds
• Model Accounting System  for PRIs is followed in the State. However, only few PRIs use the system for monthly reconciliations of accounts.
Representatives of PRIs from Zilla Parishads of Bikaner, Kota, Dausa, Jaipur, Panchayati Samitis of Karauli, Alwar, Ajmer and Gram Panchayats of Ajmer, Sikar and Tonk were present for discussions with the Finance Commission.
The Commission noted all the concerns highlighted by the representatives of the PRIs and promised to address them in its recommendations to the Central Government.
Special Service and Features
Surveys by National Statistical Office in the month of January 2022
Kochi , January 04,2022
The National Statistical Office , Field Operations Division  under the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation is continuing the field surveys in Kerala in the safe zones notified by the State administration adhering to the COVID-19 protocol .The office through its officials and staff is committed towards accurate and timely data collection and thereby produce robust and reliable statistics that is used by different agencies for the development of the nation. The NSO is presently conducting three major households’ surveys which are to be held throughout the Ernakulam district.
The Periodic Labour Force Survey  with objectives to measure the dynamics in labour force participation and employment status would be actively pursued in the Grama Panchayat ward of Elanji, Kavalangadu, Valokam, Edavanakkad, Kizhakkambalam in the rural sector of the district and Alangad, Mattoor, Chendamangalam, Elankunnupuzha Eramallur, Kochi MC, Kothamangalam, Maradu in the urban sector of the district
 will be targeting to encapsulate the economic and operational characteristics of unincorporated non agricultural establishments in manufacturing, trade and other services sector .The importance of this particular survey increases manifold especially when the world including India is going through the economic crisis created by the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, as it brings out the ground reality of the establishments that are completely out of the formal sector but are pivotal to the sustainment of the national economy when this i sector's role of being an employer to unskilled/ semi-skilled and skilled persons comes into light. During the month of January 2022, ASUSE survey will be conducted in the Grama Panchayath wards of Karukutty, in the rural sector and Kochi Corporation, Eloor, Kalamasseri, Vengola, Kedamangalam in the urban sector.
For routine conduct of sample surveys, a geographical frame has to be decided that allows the enumerator to fix targets and achieve them in an estimated time schedule. For this purpose, the Urban Frame Survey  is undertaken through satellite mapping using a mobile app. The Kochi MC and Perumbavoor urban locales would be covered in the month of January 2022 for updating the Urban Frame.